Santa Ana, CA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Under Sec. 8-1973 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, every rental property in the city is inspected on a rotating four-year cycle administered by the Planning and Building Agency's Executive Director. The Division sorts inspections into three tiers. A Level One Inspection covers only the exterior and common areas against a standardized checklist, landscaping, address markings, trash, inoperative vehicles, deteriorated driveways and stairs, and unpermitted alterations. 3. A Level Three Inspection is the full sweep, every unit in a multi-family building, or the single home on a single-family lot.

Owners get at least 15 days' written notice by first-class mail before an inspection under Sec. 8-1972, and must schedule an appointment; if an occupant refuses entry, the Executive Director can seek an inspection warrant from the court. Following any inspection that turns up violations, the city mails a formal notice within 30 days under Sec. 8-1974, and the owner must pull any needed permits and correct every cited condition before a re-inspection clears the property. The city funds PREP through a non-proratable Rental Housing Inspection Fee billed each July 1 and set annually by City Council resolution, plus a separate re-inspection fee that only kicks in on the third and later visits for the same violation.